Gold and silver smithing was introduced from China as early as the 6th century, leading to the production of decorative artefacts and items of jewellery for members the higher echelons of society. However, these crafts did not develop on a significant scale until the Lý era (1010-1225), when large-scale exploitation of silver, gold, tin and lead mines in the mountainous regions gave birth to full-scale metalworking and jewellery-making industries. Thereafter the state also began to mint gold, silver and copper coins and established factories for the production of weapons. In subsequent centuries mining was stepped up, minted coins were put into circulation on a greater scale and gold and silversmithery was developed to a high standard to meet the sophisticated tastes of the feudal aristocracy. This trend continued until the Nguyễn era (19th-20th centuries), though regrettably during the French colonial period many priceless items of regalia dating from the Nguyễn and earlier periods were lost. Today all that remains are a few artefacts made from gold or silver, inlaid with diamond, pearl and jade.

Since the earliest times in Việt Nam, woodcarving has been practised as a sculptural art linked to architecture, but it also found creative expression in the production of interior furnishings. By the posterior Lê era palanquins, elephant howdahs, wooden thrones and a whole range of palace furnishings were being produced to a high level of craftsmanship by the royal workshops, many pieces representing the combined efforts of sawyers, carpenters, engravers and turners, as well as workers responsible for inlaying mother-of-pearl, gilding or painting with vermilion. Meanwhile from the 17th century onwards urban architecture developed, stimulating a demand for high-quality tables, chairs and cabinets amongst the aristocratic, mandarin and well-to-do merchant classes. In time the Vietnamese acquired something of a reputation throughout the wider region as skilled woodcarvers. In 1901, as part of their strategy to prepare the Vietnamese woodcarving industry for international markets, the French opened a school near Sài Gòn (Thủ Dầu Một School of Indigenous Arts, Trường Mỹ nghệ Bản xứ Thủ Dầu Một, now the Bình Dương Secondary Technical School) which specialised in woodwork training. Further woodwork training programmes were launched in Hà Nội at the National Elementary Decorative Arts School (Trường Sơ cấp Mỹ nghệ Quốc gia) from the school's inception in 1920 and at the École supérieure des beaux-arts de l'Indochine (Trường Cao đẳng Mỹ thuật Đông Dương) from 1938. Woodcarving continues to be taught today at various institutions and the craft is still regarded as one of the most important Vietnamese cultural industries, notwithstanding the fact that the carpentry trade has been hit hard in recent years by restrictions on woodcutting designed to halt Việt Nam's already serious environmental degredation.

The production of household items crafted from bamboo (tre) and rattan (mây) also has a long and distinguished pedigree. Light, durable and termite-resistant, these articles take many forms, ranging from baskets and containers to furniture. Bamboo products from Việt Nam have been in great demand in Europe since French colonial times.

Basket weaving is prevalent along the coast and in some areas of the interior and includes the production of mats, baskets, conical hats and fish traps from all types of natural grasses.

Other important traditional crafts from Việt Nam include leatherware, carpet weaving and paper fan making, plus a number of regional crafts such as paper kite and lantern making from the central region and glass painting from the Mekong Delta.